Overall, 13,639,000 tons of coal were transported from Moatize in Tete to the port of Nacala via Malawi last year.

The coal was transported under a concession agreement between the former Vale Logistics Limited, now Vulcan Logistics Limited, and the Malawi government, which allows coal trains to pass through the country to Nacala, according to Radio Mozambique.

In addition to the volume of cargo handled, Malawi has seen significant development and strategic positioning for the future in rail development, particularly with regard to effective regional integration.

Geoffrey Magwede, Director of Rail Services in Malawi, said that the figures show that rail transport is an efficient and economical alternative to road transport for regional trade.

The source revealed that the rehabilitation of the railway section from Marka to Bangula to Limbe in Blantyre, linking the Mutarara district in Tete, currently involves the construction of bridges on the Limbe-Salima section.

Through the link with Mozambique, Malawi benefits from direct rail access to the ports of Nacala and Beira.

Magwede also announced that Malawi has launched a feasibility study, due to be completed this year, for rail expansion to the north of the country, possibly with a link to Tanzania.